Analyzing Eclipsing Binary Parameters with PHOEBE 2

Ground-based large-area sky surveys, such as the Northern Sky Variability Survey (NSVS), have identified numerous eclipsing binary systems. However, the large-area coverage often prevents high-cadence temporal coverage and high-precision photometry needed to produce accurate system and component parameters. More recently, space-based surveys, such as the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), provides high-cadence, high-precision photometry for a growing number of systems, but is limited to a single band pass in the red and near infrared wavelengths (600-1000 nm). Neither data source is sufficient, alone, to obtain accurate system and component parameters, especially in consideration of stellar spots and chromospheric phenomena. Therefore supplemental multi-color photometry is needed from targeted, ground-based observations. In collaboration with the Ball State University Short-Period Variable Star Program, we combine both survey data and targeted ground-based observations to determine the parameters of eclipsing binaries. Here we present several systems, both recently published and those with preliminary findings, that explore the use of PHOEBE 2 in identifying parameters in eclipsing binaries.